Hidden Highlights 02.25.08: Issue #130

Posted by JP Prag on 02.25.2008

Randy Orton walks into a ring post, Jeff Hardy takes some extra time with the fans, little kids mark out for Ric Flair, Samoa Joe’s contract is in rough shape, Cherry pushes back, and more! All with guest co-host Jason Goodman!

Hidden Highlights
By JP Prag

Issue #130

Hello everyone who has ever been willing to wake up at 5am to drive your friend to the airport, and welcome back to Hidden Highlights!!



Hidden Highlights, they are about the little things that make the product great. They are about showing the positive motions all those involved in wrestling do to make a better show. William Regal may bend his opponent's hand backwards just a little bit harder to dish out the pain. Christian Cage may reference a piece of obscure history. Tazz may bring realism to the product by describing an abdominal stretch in detail. The camera operator may take a low shot looking up at the Great Khali to make him look like a true monster. These are all examples of what Hidden Highlights is about.

Every week this article spotlights Hidden Highlights from the biggest shows on television (RAW, ECW of SciFi, iMPACT, SmackDown!, and a PPV or television special if there is one), delves into the past to find the ones never recorded before, and goes beyond to small shows, live events, tapes, and the indy scene to see what no one else sees. This article may have an author, but it is just as much written by the readers and true fans of professional wrestling—those who love what they watch and want to tell the world what they have found.

I am JP Prag, and I bring you Hidden Highlights with one goal in mind: to appreciate all those little things that make a huge difference.

JP: Torrential rainstorms, huge snowstorms, hospital visits, and the existence of New York in general… some weeks it just goes extra crazy. I'm hoping to get some actual positive momentum in the days and weeks to come. There are so many things to look forward to (my birthday, WrestleMania weekend+, my first quarter bonus, etc…) that I just want to be able to actually look forward to them. Sigh. I know, you have no idea what I'm talking about. Just doing a little venting, don't mind me.

Maybe you better pay more attention to this week's Guest Co-host. He… ummmm… well… let's see here… kind of… but not really… Jason Goodman, what do you do?

Jason: Not much, really… I guess I just make random appearances throughout the 411 Universe? Actually I write a semi-regular column over in the Sports Zone, known to the masses as The Starting Five. By "the masses," of course, I mean my mom and three of my friends from college. Other than that I spend my time on street corners, ranting at passing cars. Wait, now I've said too much…

JP: Shhhhh… you can't give away the secrets to the third temple…

Jason: Errrrr… Anyway, thanks for letting me visit the hallowed halls of the Wrestle Zone, JP! You guys sure have it nice over here, what, with your fancy logos and stuff (I gotta make me some 'o those). While I'm glad I can put my insane ranting on the shelf for a few moments, I don't know if I can really write less than 5 things. Let's see what happens!

JP: I'm watching you kid! I had enough trouble the one time Larry was let write in these pages (hence why you haven't seen him since). Now let's get on with the Hidden Highlights!



Sunday, February 17, 2008 by the Readers via JP

JP: We got an eclectic bunch for an eclectic PPV. As most people know, I'm a big fan of the Elimination Chamber and was glad to see its return. Of course, "see" is a loose word since I didn't actually watch the PPV. Luckily for me, you readers did!

(3) Dress for success:

Via Robby Doig:

MVP was dressed for war. His outfit had a bit of a change to it at the pay-per-view. On his shoulders he had camo, and on his back the letters MVP were covered in camo as well. I found this interesting due to the match he was in being called a war, he seemed dressed for the occasion.

JP: I noticed him wearing the same outfit on SmackDown! and one word came to mind: FORESHADOW. Who else wears fatigues all the time? Matt Hardy! I believe this is the sign that Matt is soon to be back.

(2) Get me out of this place:

Via Tim Schmidt:

In the Cena/Orton match, Orton is walking around outside the ring. As he does, he is staring at Cena and walks into the ring post. Orton then falls in front of the announce table and asks to be counted out

JP: Man, Orton really was looking for any way out of that match!

(1) The way ideas are spread:

Via David Knight:

Kennedy vs. Flair: At one stage, after getting a near fall, Kennedy raises his fist at the ref, but the ref warns him what happens if he hits him. Maybe this is where Orton got the idea from.

JP: Well, I guess walking into the ring post to get counted out was not going to work.

Jason: Wow, your readers are pretty darn adept at this! I just hope I can keep up with them. And I would almost put money on the Matt Hardy prediction.



Monday, February 18, 2008 by Jason Goodman

Jason: Must say, I absolutely love the period between No Way Out and Wrestlemania. Everybody begins to step up their efforts on TV, in hopes of at least having an appearance at the "Granddaddy of Them All." The new kids all try to make a name for themselves, and the veterans begin to make it look completely effortless. Not only that, but you start to have an idea of who the company will be looking to in the coming "season." It's like a final tune-up month before the Playoffs begin. Raw kicked things off in good fashion, with everyone trying to give a bit extra.

(3) The Road To Gold is Paved in… Well, Gold:

During the opening segment with Cena, Triple H, Regal and Orton, I couldn't help but notice the gold light shining on the entrance ramp. At first I thought this was paying homage to the fact the champ was in the ring – AWESOME, right? – until I realized the lights stayed that way during everything but the other wrestler's entrances. It wasn't just about the gold, it was about the Wrestlemania logo everyone in the arena kept pointing at all night! The orange-goldenrod LOGO. Nice job of the stage crew keeping Florida in our minds. It made me wonder if the would continue this until the end of March, or, at the very least, throughout the week.

(2) Wait… Let's Listen to a Bit More of My Music:

Jeff Hardy did two cool things at once while making his way down the ramp in the second segment of the evening. After slapping hands with everybody on one side of the aisle, he stopped, thought a moment, and ran back to give the people on the opposite side some love. Not only did this make the night just that more special for those who paid extra to sit over there, but it also allowed everyone a few extra moments to listen to his new theme music. Way to give both the band AND the audience the rub, Jeff!

(1) Looks Can Kill:

The look in JBL's eyes while he mercilessly beat down on Hornswaggle was the definition of psychotic. No anger, not even enjoyment, just a seemingly uncontrollable urge to cause some harm. Not only that, but he managed to keep his gaze on Finlay almost the entire time, which sets up a likely WM showdown better than any words ever could. JBL has done a nice job of tweaking his character since his return and the sickness and deliberateness he showed made everyone feel just a bit uncomfortable. You could see it in everyone's faces, the expression of "this is WRONG." He took a very physical segment and sold it entirely with his eyes. Kudos. (NOTE TO CHUCK PALUMBO: THIS is what a psycho-beatdown looks like; you don't have to force your eyeballs out of their sockets and scream for 5 minutes.)

JP: You know, after we pointed out two years ago a couple of people looking whimsically at the WrestleMania banner, everyone started doing it blatantly. It's a Hidden Highlight turned regular gesture! Well, it is bound to happen.

By the way, I don't know if you caught this, but JR said he could not think of another brother/sister pair in the history of the WWE. Hmmm… I'm thinking Ken and Ryan Shamrock. Or how about something more recent like Cherry and Domino? At least Jerry Lawler was ready to jump on board with the example of Shane and Stephanie McMahon right off the bat.



Tuesday, February 19, 2008 by Jason Goodman

Jason: You know, I am still amazed in how much this show is able to accomplish in the space of one hour, and most everything has to be done with the little things.

(3) Stevie Richards Still Remembers the Brand Spit:

During the clips of Richards' interview with Joey Styles, he said he wanted at the level of "every other ECW superstar." I like this, because he's either a) acknowledging that there are 3 brands out there(of the WWE ilk, at least), or b) paying homage to his roots in the original ECW, which put out the kinds of superstars the mainstream wrestling world had never seen, trumping those of the "Big Two" companies. Regardless, you can always tell how proud his is of those ties.

(2) Whoooooo!:

Seriously, when Ric Flair's music hit to start out the show, one child's look of utter shock and amazement reminded me of what a rarity it is to get someone of that caliber on the "3rd show." It helped make things feel just a bit more special, which in turn made the main event feel bigger. Nice job by the camera crew of picking this up, although I think the luck of timing played into it, as well.

(1) ) Ok, Ok, Ok, You Won… Now Just GO, already:

I don't know who the ref was for the Miz/Mikey Whipwreck 2.0 match, but his reaction to The Miz demanding his hand be raised in victory a second time was just priceless. He first flinches, as if there was a hit coming, then when he realizes what Miz really wants, he just rolls his eyes and mouths "Fine, already." I love it, it sells Miz as a complete egomaniac, and establishes that people in the back are both realizing and getting tired of it.

JP: Well I sure for one never tire of the Miz pulling off Hidden Highlights. The guy has come a long way wrestling-wise as well. ECW was absolutely the right choice for him, and being with John Morrison has certainly made him a better athlete.



Thursday, February 21, 2008 by JP

JP: Riddle me this: how in the world did "Bullet" Bob Armstrong get himself another title match? With Kip James, nonetheless! Speaking of title questions, I wonder when Scott Steiner is ever going to take one of his title shots? And if Petey Williams is #1 Contender to the X-Division title, what does that make Scott Steiner's suitcase? Anyway, I was watching this show with a buddy of mine who does not watch wrestling, and let me just tell you that he was totally entertained by AJ and Karen's honeymoon. "I feel like I'm a peeping tom on the greatest redneck date of all time." ‘Nuff said.

(3) Upset or not? Hard to say:

As many people have covered, Jim Cornette came out during the show to honor Jay Lethal and point out the many, many accomplishments the young buck has had. After the honor and his own speech, Jay then got down on one knee and asked out SoCal Val, to which she said, "Oooooooh yeah!" Afterwards, you really had to watch Sonjay Dutt to catalogue the majesty of his reaction. First off, he was trying to hold back a scorn. He wasn't scorning, he was trying to hold back a scorn. That means he was faking wanting to scorn and then pretending that he was trying to hold it back. See what I'm saying? He was faking a fake reaction to fake emotion, very hard to pull off. Then, you had to watch his hands. He kept starting to wring them in frustration and then stopping himself from actually wringing them. It was so subtle, but made the point quite clear. I really have to say that I am impressed with how Sonjay pulled off this little bit of non-acting acting not… if that makes sense.

(2) Takes a lickin', keeps on tickin':

Later in the evening, Jim Cornette was at it again, this time trying to get Somoa Joe to sign his contract. Cornette, word to the wise: do not give someone a title match BEFORE they sign a contract. I'm just saying! I'm also saying that Jim Cornette did present that contract to Somoa Joe, and there was something quite interesting about it. The contract was all crumbled up, disheveled, and generally not in great shape. That got me thinking: that must be the actual same papers that have been getting beat up week after week! Nice touch by the production crew to keep the same contract flowing around instead of just printing out a new one.

(1) I find me quite appealing:

The main even saw Kurt Angle take on Booker T in a non-title affair. Shortly before their match, Angle was in the back when Crystal (who I am enjoying as the dorky/cool announcer who hangs out with the wrestlers) came in to ask Kurt how he felt about Karen and AJ's honeymoon. That's when I noticed two small framed pictures on the table next to Kurt. And what were those pictures of? Why Kurt Angle himself! Now that is a great narcissistic moment without going over the top and announcing "I only care about myself!"

Jason: Tell you what… if they keep this up, I might start watching Impact, too.



Friday, February 22, 2008 by JP

JP: Between SmackDown! and ECW, they do have quite a few wrestlers. That's why I'm surprised to see so many jobbers used on both shows. I mean, why put "Matt Jackson" on TV? Isn't Funaki back from his Wellness-related suspension? I haven't seen Balls Mahoney or Kevin Thorn in a while, and Tuesday was the first time I've seen Elijah Burke in weeks! Elijah does do a great job of getting himself over as a heel, though, every time he re-appears. But this is SmackDown!, so it has nothing to do with him (unless he makes a crossover like our first Hidden Highlight).

(3) That's a lock:

The opening contest was a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match pitting the gold standard Shelton Benjamin against Jimmy Wang Yang. A few minutes into the match, Shelton had Jimmy in a standard behind the back chin lock. Nothing much to see as Shelton has his hands in the standard "U" shaped cross. Yang then tries to escape the move and is fairly successful at pulling Shelton's fingers apart. At that moment, Shelton does a quick change and stays in the chin lock, but switches his hands to a "S" lock so that Yang cannot pry his hands apart. You see that: there can be psychology in a chin lock. Kudos to you, Shelton Benjamin!

(2) That's not nice:

The next match saw Jesse and the new and improved psychologically sound Festus taking on former WWE Tag Team Champions Deuce and Domino. Late into the match, the action spilled out into the floor and Deuce actually pushed Cherry into Jesse to cause a distraction. The distraction worked, and Deuce was able to hit Jesse with a kick to the nose (that may have broken it). In the ensuing moments it took the announcers to recount the kick and show the blood, they missed a great Hidden Highlight. Cherry then went back over to Deuce, pushed him and said, "Come on!" Now that makes so much sense! She could not have liked being used as a human battering ram, so it makes sense to Cherry to get in Deuce's face about it.

(1) But… but… but…:

Much later in the evening, Kane and the Great Khali met up again for a match that saw Khali in control pretty much the entire time. Towards the end of the match, Khali locked in the vice grip, but Kane managed to get Khali on his back and score the pinfall victory (I love when Kane does wrestling moves, like his catch-as-catch can match with the Big Show). After the match, Kane was announced the winner as he made his way back up the ramp. The camera then turned back to the Great Khali, who had such a perfect look of confusion on his face. Khali then made the symbol for the vice grip and mouthed some words that I translated to "But I did this!", meaning he could not believe he could have lost when he made that move. Making the sign of the vice grip and explaining his confusion totally won me over, therefore the top Hidden Highlight of the week goes to the Great Khali.

And now that I've gone that, I may be able to retire.

Jason: The idea of the Great Khali doing a "little thing" both amazes and astounds. And I too was a huge fan of the Kane/Show "wrestling" match. Even better was the announce team's complete disbelief at what they were seeing.




Hidden Highlights are not just about what was written above, but about what you have seen as well. This article strives to not only spotlight the best Hidden Highlights, but to engage you, the viewers, and make you the best audience in the world.

JP: It started off a slow week, but then a ton came in at the end. So, *GENERAL WARNING*:: some parts of the following Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights may be edited for grammar, spelling, and English translation…

We'll kick it off with Reader Write-in Finalist Trevor Alexander with some of last week's iMPACT:

Earl Hebner called Team 3D by their WWE/ECW names for the whole segment (Bubba Ray and Devon)

JP: I noticed that, and did not know whether to be upset at Hebner for forgetting where he was or happy that they just went with it and did not try to voice it over like we was with Batista a couple of weeks back.

Jeremy Borash kept sneaking Carlito style peaks at Karen Angles breast during multiple segments the entire night.

JP: And Matt Morgan spent a long time staring at SoCal Val as she got in the ring this week.

ODB called the Knock Out title the Knocked Up title.

JP: Mike Tenay actually pointed that out this week.

The TNA interview girl has gotten really good with her facial expressions and reactions, I think she's infinitely better than Lena (Sp?) from ECW and Eve Torres on Smackdown.

JP: I'm really starting to warm up to Crystal. She's got a different style then we've seen from the girls in a long time. Dancing with Curry Man this week: priceless!

For the first time Awesome Kong won a match without the Awesome Bomb and instead she used the setup to it, the Implant Buster (Great Name)

JP: That it is.

Unless Kurt and Karen went and got divorced between Sunday and Thursday I don't believe you are re announced man and wife when you renew your vows.

JP: You can do whatever you want, it's a fake wedding anyway! Actually, remember that episode of the Simpsons when Homer gets a divorce so he can make his and Marge's second wedding more special? Good times. Speaking of good times, Michael Reid has one:

On the Feb 15th edition of Smackdown, Michelle McCool was facing Victoria in a match where Chuck Palumbo revved his bike to distract her. Finally, when Michelle turned her full attention to Chuck, Victoria had enough time to set Michelle up for the Widow's Peak. Only, instead of just hitting it in the direction she was facing, Victoria turned so that Michelle would fall facing Chuck.

A nice touch by the Notorious V.I.C. to give Chuck a great view of the pain he really wants to inflict on Michelle.

JP: I'm always happy to put over future Hidden Highlights Hall of Famer Victoria. She is that good. Jumping ahead to RAW, Rick Landis (who apologized to me for slacking recently) has this:

On Raw as Cena was applyin' the STFU, he looked up at the WM sign, and applied it harder. Just a little motivation.

JP: I think the sign thing all started with Cena, too. Now everybody is doing it!

During the MVP vs Batisa match Batista was on the outside, and Charles Robinson started counting. He just started when MVP yelled "count him out" or "start countin'" (I have a very short memory, which is why I send them in as soon as I find them) and Robinson countered with "I am". It just goes to show that refs have authority, it don't need to be told what to do

JP: I actually caught MVP screaming this, too, and thought it was quite a riot. But I really had to fit that Great Khali one in there. Just like how I'll fit David Knight back in here:

Seeing Jeff Hardy sell his EC injuries was one thing, but the fact that HHH, HBK and JBL didn't compete, and Y2J and Umaga weren't even present did a much better job of selling the brutality of the elimination chamber.

JP: Geez, where was Y2J? It's sad that after being gone that long I don't even notice when he is missing. I know people wanted him back for so long, but this is exactly what I feared: he's just kind of lost in the shuffle. Josh Huff on the hand will never get lost:

On Smackdown, during the Jimmy Wang Yang/Shelton Benjamin match, Benjamin had been beating down Wang and was about to try and powerbomb him into the turnbuckle. With Wang's head between his legs, he paused for a good four or five seconds to taunt. Instead of standing there looking like a goof for that long, Wang dropped to one knee to sell that he was too drained to escape, then got back to his feet once Benjamin was ready for the move.

JP: People need to send in some love for Shannon Moore. That guy didn't even get an entrance this week!

On ECW, Elijah Burke and Shelton Benjamin both interrupted Ric Flair's promo. Burke stood by nodding and shrugging as Benjamin talked, but a little ways in, Benjamin told Flair that Ric was once the gold standard, but now Shelton has taken his place. Burke got an awesome "Oh no he didn't" look on his face.



JP: See, this is what I was talking about above. Burke always does these great little things in the background that never let you forget that he is there. The guy takes advantage of every second he is on TV. Enough of that, though, and let's have Nick Noel take us home:

CELL PHONE PHOTOS! – Again. Randy Orton's entrance at the start of RAW, as he's walking down the ramp, centre screen there's a fan recording with their cell phone.

JP: Bad fans! You are sleeping out in the yard tonight!

Kinda Gross – I just noticed (thank you HD) that Snitsky goes for the hairless look with the shaved head and chest, but neglects to shave/wax his legs. Total gross-out moment I just thought needed to be shared with you JP.

JP: Why me?! What did I ever do to you? Oh, right…

HBK And HHH – Were sporting sticking plasters (not quite Bandaids) in the EXACT same place on their foreheads tonight!

JP: At least they weren't neon green because then I would never hear the end of it.

He IS a Big Show – As Mayweather got into the ring and went to size up to Big Show, Show went up on his toes for a fraction of a second to appear taller. Hilarity ensued. Well, for me at least. Although I do maintain that Floyd Mayweather needs Teddy Long in his entourage. PLAYA!

JP: I think Jerry Lawler said it best: "Why would Mayweather risk hundreds of millions of dollars for this?!" Oh, that was just mean.

Jason: Yeah… but can somebody tell me who in the heck those two gargantuan brothas in Mayweather's entourage were?? They were giants! I mean, did you notice how far away from show they actually had to stand, just to look a teensy bit smaller?

Do you have a Hidden Highlight from this or any week in history that you would like to share? Please e-mail this article at [e-mail] with your thoughts! Send them by Saturday afternoon to be considered! And remember, they can be from any show, live or taped, or any house show, or anything you saw… readers just like to know!




JP: Once again, thanks go out to Jason Goodman for actually writing an article this week and doing a good job of it.

Jason: You know, I am going to completely let that slide. Especially considering the fact that I just took the last two weeks off from writing. Anyway, I had fun doing this. Little known fact: The first thing I ever penned for 411 was my very own set of Reader Write-in Hidden Highlights! Your column is still great, and the readers are still amazing, I hope to come back some time again!

Oh, and before I forget, I have a little webcomic which I update weekly. It's called Please Ask For Assistance, and is updated every Wednesday. If any of you out there are comic book geeks like me, I think you might enjoy it. Even if you're not, I still think you'd enjoy it. And thanks again for having me, it was a blast being able to count watching television as "work" this week.

JP: I do need something to replace Bob and George. Gosh, that was the best Mega Man parody ever, especially because it was originally never intended to be one. I like when things kind of just come about organically. It makes me believe that there are some things out there that are not corporate.

Although if you are into the corporate, be sure to catch my very own Saturday morning news report The Hamilton Ave Journal: the only wrestling news report focused on the business of wrestling.

Thank you for reading the 130th ISSUE of Hidden Highlights! Be sure to drop a line with all the other Hidden Highlights not covered this time around and everything you catch in the week to come.

Until then, you have just experienced the most positive article in all of the IWC: Hidden Highlights!